Carryout Program 'A Runaway Success' + Latest COVID-19 Numbers

Happy Friday, Oak Park and River Forest! Welcome back to Patch's daily update on the latest local news in your area.

In today’s Daily, you'll learn the latest COVID-19 numbers, historic Patton & Fisher homes for sale in Oak Park and a strong start to the season for the Huskies volleyball team.

First, today’s weather: Mostly cloudy throughout the day with temps reaching a high of 68 and low of 51.

Patch Pick: After the loss of their beloved nanny, Fenwick High School students Wil Gurski and Leah Gurski launched a small business to help send the late Viola Dabrowa’s son to college. The Giraffe Plan sells sweatshirts in honor of Dabrowa’s favorite animal, and the siblings credit neighbors and friends for the success of the venture. “It shows you how strong of a community we live in, especially in this Oak Park and River Forest area,” Leah told F. Amanda Tugade. “Everyone wants to help everyone.” (Wednesday Journal)

Here are the top five stories in Oak Park today:

1. Oak Park police responded to a false report of kidnapping by a Longfellow Elementary School student May 11. The student told police he escaped kidnappers while walking home from school around 3:20 p.m. Police and District 97 officials are assuring the public that the report was false and the claims are unsubstantiated. “Officers treated it is as a child abduction until investigative efforts determined that it was not,” Commander William Rygh said. (Wednesday Journal)

2. More than 45 percent of eligible Oak Park residents are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to new state data. The Oak Park Department of Public Health has distributed 11,458 doses of vaccines and allocated 14,464 doses to local hospitals and partners. More than 3,000 people in the Village have contracted the virus since March 2020, including 28 new cases since May 5. (Village of Oak Park)

3. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was approved this week for children ages 12-15. Local parents pre-register their children at oak-park.us/vaccine to be alerted when appointments are available through the Oak Park Department of Public Health. Patients at Oak Park Pediatrics can also register online to receive vaccination details from their doctor’s office. (Village of Oak Park)

4. Two homes designed by Normand Patton and Reynolds Fisher are now on the market in Oak Park, Lacey Sikora reports. The famed late-19th century Chicago architecture firm designed several buildings in the area, including two churches and a library. The John Rankin House (245 N. Kenilworth Ave.) and The Lawrence Muther House (222 Forest Ave.) date back to the 1880s and are both listed at around $1 million asking prices. (Wednesday Journal)

5. The Takeout 25 Oak Park program to support local restaurants during the pandemic is being dubbed "a runaway success" by Steve Johnson at the Chicago Tribune. Oak Park Village Board member and engineer Ravi Parakkat launched the “Carry Out to Carry On" pledge last spring, and now 50 Austin eateries are joining the list of participating locations. "I see Takeout 25 as a way to kind of help to have a reverse flow of people coming to spend money in Austin as these businesses are developed," said Malcolm Crawford, executive director of the Austin African American Business Networking Association. (Chicago Tribune)

Today in Oak Park:

• Preschool Playtime Fridays: Kids 1-6 can enjoy an open gym at the Gymnastics and Recreation Center. (10:15 a.m. and 1 p.m.)
• Charming Irish love story “Finding You” opens at Lake Theatre, alongside Billy Crystal’s “Here Today” and action-thriller “Wrath of Man.” (1 p.m.)
• Health & Wellness Happy Hour at Maya del Soul: Chat and network members of in the Oak Park-River Forest area health & wellness industry. (3 p.m.)
• Sample Italian wines with Anfora Wine Merchants at Pleasant Home. (7 p.m.)
• Queer Pop Events is hosting a limited-capacity pop-up event at Oak Park Brewing Company. (7 p.m.)
• CPC Band will perform live music at Salerno’s. (8 p.m.)

Oak Park Patch Notebook

• Community members and local reporters are reflecting on the legacy of Rush Oak Park Hospital CEO Bruce Elegant as he plans to retire in June after 24 years at the helm. (Wednesday Journal)
• Oak Park Public Library is now allowing cardholders to borrow mobile hotspots for stronger Internet connection. Digital Learning Specialist Amy Hofmockel explains how to use the devices, which can be picked up at the Main Library or mailed to your home. (Oak Park Public Library)
• The boys volleyball team at OPRF High School is off to a strong 5-1 start. New head coach Justin Cousin has stepped in for the late Don August, who died in October. Cousin told Melvin Tate he hopes to do “some justice and honor” to his former coach in the COVID-shortened season. The next match is set for May 18 against York High School. (Wednesday Journal)

You're all caught up on what's happening today in Oak Park and River Forest. Let us know what you think about this newsletter by emailing georgi.presecky@patch.com! Thanks for being here.

- Georgi